Colchester, VT – After five years of service, Jeffrey Domoto will step down as the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association’s (VYOA) Music Director and conductor of its flagship orchestra, the Vermont Youth Orchestra (VYO) following its May 1st concert to pursue other interests in the music field.

“I reached the decision to resign after careful consideration of what is best for me and for the VYOA,” said Domoto. “My focus is music and I am eager to explore new paths for contributing to the education of young musicians. The past five years have been tremendously rewarding for me as both a musician and an educator and I depart from the organization energized by those experiences. I will carry with me many wonderful memories and warm feelings for the students, families, and broader community that have made the VYOA an outstanding institution for the development of young people through the transformative experience of making music together.”

Domoto joined the VYOA in January 2011. Under his baton, the VYO has performed two international tours (Germany & Prague in 2011, and Iceland in 2015), a highly-acclaimed 2013 Opera Extravaganza before a sold-out Flynn Theater, featuring Metropolitan Opera superstar Latonia Moore and Jesus Garcia. He also oversaw the organization’s 50th anniversary season that featured alumni Pierre Jalbert and international violin soloist Soovin Kim, and capped the season with a performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9 in D Minor,

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“We are very grateful to Jeff for sharing his artistry, musicianship, and commitment to musical excellence,” said Rosina Cannizzaro, the organization’s executive director. “Speaking for the board, and both the artistic and operations staffs, we thank him for his time with us and wish him the very best going forward.”

A transition plan has been developed and the organization will be releasing the details about an interim conductor and a time line for a national search to seek a new music director as soon as they are finalized.